The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-05
INDIANA AND ILLINOIS NEWS
A Drunken Man Kills an Old Friend
and Beats His Wife Almost to Death.
William Walker Bound Over for Completely
in the Mabbitt Murder-A Big Lawsuit Ter
minated by Death-Minor Gleanings.
INDIANA.

A Drunken Man Murders His Friend and
Beats His Wife Into Insensibility.
Special o the Indianapolis journal.
LAFAYETTE, Aug. 4-Daniel Drew last night
went on his usual drunk-a thing that occurs
whenever he get whisky. John Mackessy,
neighbor, called early in the evening to spend
an hour two. as his custom. They were
good friends. About the time the saloons closed
for the night they bought pail of beer. The
presumption is that Drew and his wife twho also
drinks), and Mackessy all became intoxicated
About IL o'clock loud talk was heard
in the little house where they live. but
it was often heard that attention was paid.
About 1 o'clock this morning policeman pass
ing that way saw a man lying face downward.
outside near the door of Drew's house. He went
over and ascertaned that it was Mackessy. He
bleeding from cuts on the head, and was un-
conscious. Peering into the house, another
CHASTITY sight met his gaze. On the floor, un-
conscious and bleeding, her head battered and
pounded, was Mrs. Drew. Drew was gone. The
interior of the little room presented a terrible
sight. A pail half filled with beer was the
table; the walls, which had been freshly white
washed, spattered with great blotches
of blood; the chairs and floor were also covered
with blood. Mackessy taken to his home,
where he aied about 3 o'clock this morning.
Mrs. Drew was removed to the hospital, where
she regained consciousness to-day. but she
claims to not know anything about what or how
it happened. Drew had disappeared, the terrible
deed having partially sobered him. He could
not remain away from the scene. however, and
later skulking back home, whore he
was arrested. He attempted to resist, but
Officer Hasty finally got him TO Jail.
He does not deny hitting Mackessy.
The murder not the result of old grudges,
for the men were the best of friends. The sup
position is that Drew attempted to beat his wife
"a very common practice with him-and that
Mackessy remonstr ated with him. The latter
was evidently seated on chair when the first
blow was struck, there is large pool of
blood near the chair and on the wall He had
staggered out of doors and fallen near the door,
being, doubt, again felled by Drew, who used
both Ratchet and a shovel as weapons. Mrs.
Drew is terribly injured but may recover.
Drew was at one time man of influence and
considerable means. but he got to drinking, end
ing in the loss of his property, and finally in the
killing of Mackessy. The latter has large
family and was q quiet citizen, occasionally
taking too much. He & powerful man
physically, and the supposition is that Drew
must have knocked him down first with the
shovel. Drew soldier during the war, and
for galantry and bravery in the trenches, dur
ing battle. was commissioned captain in the
Thirty fifth Indiana Regiment
Drew had a preliminary examination tonight.
During the afternoon of Mackessy made
his way int the Jail with the evident intention
of doing Drew bodily injury as he was armed,
but was hustled out While Drew was on his
way to the Justices Office Mackessy attempted to
assault him, but was seized by the police. Much
excitement resulted, and hundreds of people
stood about the Office. strong guard of Off
GERS escorted Drew back to the jail The seven
year-oid daughter of Drew testified that
Mackessy was lying on the bed when her father
came in, told him to leave the house, and struck
him with Ratchet. The examination was
continued until Friday.